Supplies (Papers, Inks, etc.)

This is tricky b/c 1) it is one's own personal preference and 2) I really don't have any "go-to" products to recommend. (Well, I DO, but just not for practice. SO, this is my own cheapie! personal preference.)

In "professional" classes I have taken over the years, some instructors would always recommend Higgins Eternal ink and layout bond paper for practice. Since I play and sketch a lot, not only do I go through many sheets of paper, but in addition, the layout bond paper gets expensive! SO, my suggestion is to use whatever you like! (preferably non-bleeding paper)

Stores:  I shop all over, as you never know what you'll find where (and I'm frugal), so I get supplies anywhere from art stores to Dollar Trees. A lot of my go-to places are: Dick Blick, Amazon, local arts & craft stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby), Joanne Fabrics (yes, they have art supplies! And coupons!), Dollar stores, sometimes Target, and sometimes the callig. stores. (i would probably shop those more, but I hate to pay for shipping)

Paper:  I have a TON of paper I've accumulated over the years (ranging from nice Strathmore sheets to watercolor papers, various drawing pads, sketchbooks, etc.), but sometimes when playing or sketching, I don't want to use my nicer stuff. (HOWEVER, the older I get, my mindset is to USE it!! Don't wait.)

I have found various old notebooks around my house, and they are great (not like the recycled paper made nowadays). I even found a pad of yellow legal paper and that doesn't bleed either. So, if you want to go the cheap route, I'd suggest this and save your nice stuff for projects, etc. (Plus, if you prefer lines, this will help with your practice!)

Other frugal options are those $1 composition notebooks (got at Target during school supply season) and some lined Mead notebooks. I've also found inexpensive (less than $5) sketchbooks at Dollar stores and Target, and they have really nice paper! (no feather, no bleed)

One paper brand I will recommend though (which does not bleed-through OR feather, esp. when using fountain pen-type ink) is Rodia. I was so happily shocked at the quality.

Inks:  Same suggestion goes for inks -- use whatever you like. If you like gouache, use gouache! If you like Higgins, use that! I find that all ink is about the same price (I get a lot of mine from Dick Blick, or at the local craft stores if I have a coupon), but it tends to deplete quickly when I play, so someone suggested walnut ink CRYSTALS. I love walnut ink, but usually save mine for fun projects, BUT if you get the crystals and make your own, WOW does that save money. 

What I tend to use on a regular basis (besides the walnut ink now) is: Ecoline watercolor ink, India ink (Dr. Martin Bombay), any old inks I have, which include Higgins Calligraphy ink. 

Experiment with any and all, as you never know what you'll find and like. Also, (this has happened to me quite a bit) if you buy an ink, but don't like the color, use it for practice. I use to get upset when I ordered an ink and the color was different than I thought, but then I just used for play, so it didn't go to waste.
*Left to Right:  Ecoline Watercolor ink, Premade Walnut ink, Higgins Eternal ink, Daniel Smith walnut ink, Teal India ink (Dr. Martin's Bombay), old brown/sepia Higgins ink, old Callig ink (orange/red), old blue Higgins ink